Hoisting and conveying gr



B. F. WEBER AND F. E. WOODFORD.

HOISTING AND convnmc GRAPPLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-8| 1910.

1,384,793, Patented July 19, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESgES 4-721. fmj @Q M B. F. WEBER AND F. E. WOODFORD.

HOISTING AND CONVEYING GRAPPLE.

APPLICATION FILED was. 1910.

1,384,793. Patented July 19, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2' INVINTORS WITNESSES B. F, WEBER AND F. E. WOODFORD.

HOISTING AND CONVEYING GRAPPLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-8. I910.

Patented July 19, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET WITNESSES B. F. WEBER AND F. E. WOODFORD.

HOISTING AND CONVEYING GRAPPLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.8. 1910.

Patented July 19, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD F. WEBER AND FRANK E. WOODFORD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID WOOD- FOBD ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF HIS RIGHT TO RAYMOND C. PEN- FIELD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HOISTING AND CONVEYING GRAIPPLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 19, 1921.

Original application flied February 24, 1910, Serial No. 545,616. Divided and this application filed August 8, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BERNARD F. \Vnnnn and FRANK E. WOODFORI). citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hoisting and Conveying Grapples, of which the following is a specification.

Our present invention relates to hoisting and conveying grapples, conveyers in general, and more particularly to mechanisms of this character adapted to engage, lift and carry a plurality of articles, and has special reference to the provision of a form of apparatus peculiarly adapted for use in connection with aerial tramways such as are used in the intramural transportation of articles in process of manufacture from one part of the manufacturing establishment to another part thereof. In the present instance, we have shown an embodiment of our invention especially adapted for use in connection wtih a conveyer system arranged for service in a brick yard, other parts of such system forming the subjects-matter of our co-pendin application-Serial No. 545,616 of whic this is a division, and of other divisions thereof.

The principal objects of our present invention are: the provision of automatically operated carrier apparatus for transferring brick, as they issue from the brick making machine, to the cars upon which they are hacked preparatory to storing, drying or burning, with the intervention of a minimum amount of manual labor; the provision of an improved system of mono-rail tracks for supporting the conveyer units and ele vating or lowering them to any desired level for convenience in depositing the load; the provision of an improved design of motor driven trolley for operating the individual carriers; the provision of an improved form of individual carriers for supporting the goods to be transported; the provision of oo- 0 rating means whereby the operation of t e carrier units, and of the engaging means carried thereby, may be varied when desired and thereafter automatically restored; the provision of improved means for intermittently driving the individual conveyer units; the provision of improved means for inter inittently ekciting the engaging mechanism Serial No. 576,171.

and causing them to engage the articles to be transported; the provision of elastic,

means whereby the carriers may be conveniently lowered or turned. or both, as may be desired, in order that the load may be deposited without injury thereto and in any desired position; the provision of improved means for disengaging the individual carriers from the load and automatically returning the carriers to former operative position; the provision of automatically operated electrical means for controlling the movements of each of the individual trolleys and of the engaging means carried thereby; the provision of means for moving cars upon which the brick are backed, at a rate of speed proportional to the normal rate of delivery of brick thereto; the provision of means whereby any curvature or irregularity in the bricks as they issue from the brick forming mechanism may be removed, together with such other objects as may hereinafter appear.

In the manufacture of bricks as customarily carried on at this day, the bricks as they issue from the forming mechanism are deposited upon an endless belt conveyer running to a point adjacent to a series of cars, and as the bricks approach the cars they are manually lifted from the belt and placed in the desired position upon the cars. This system of operation is objectionable in the following respects:

Firstly. In order that it may be carried out at all, all of the operatives removing brick from the conveyer and the belt and hacking them on the cars must move in unison to avoid interference. and the speed with which the transference of the brick may be m complished is governed by that of the least eilicient operator;

Secondly. Much time is lost and the capacity of the plant reduced in the event of the absence for any cause of one of the operatives; that is, any variation in the number of operatives, even for a short time, requires the proportionate variation in the speed of the conveyer belt;

T hirdly. In the event that the operatives become incoordinated even momentarily, some of the brick must pass by and become lost;

Fourthly: For the efiieleflt disposition of the brick issuing from but a single forming mechanism, the employment of a large number of operatives is required.

In attaining the objects above mentioned and gaining certain further benefits and advantages below to be disclosed, as well as in overcoming the objections hereinbefore referred to, we have provided a construction one embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figures 1 and 2 are respectively end and side elevational views of one of the individual trolleys used in connection with a con veyer system useful in a brick making establishment; I

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of the electrical connection utilized in connection with the driving motor of Figs. 1 and 2 and engaging means of Figs. 4-9;

Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively partially broken away side and-partially sectioned elevations of a form of carrier mechanism used for engaging one type of brick. Fig. 5 being taken on the line VIIVII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a detail of the end of Fig. 4;

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are respectively a side elevational view, a plan view, and a transverse elevational view partially in section, of a form of engaging mechanism used in connection with another type of brick, the view of Fig. 9 being taken on the line XIXI of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrative of the relative positions assumed by the several members of a series of trolley units and carrier units as they respectively come into position to engage, and complete the operation of engagement of, the several members of a row of brick, the conveyer units being of the type illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. 7

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of the detail of construction showing the means whereby the conveyer units of Figs. 7 to 9 are caused to engage brick of another type than those indicated in Fig 10.

Referring first to Fig. 10 of the drawing; it will be observed that we have here illustrated the following principal elements, in connection with a brick-making machine (not shown), viz: a trolley track 13., located immediately above a conveyor belt B adapted to receive brick as they come from the forming machine; a plurality of motor trolleys C running'on the track A; carrier de vices I) respectively supported by the trolleys C; feeding the trolley motors, and a suitable conductor R for exciting the operating means actuating the engaging devices of the carriers D.

R-eferringnow more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 which illustrate more fully the construction of the trolley indicated at C in Fig. 10, it will be observed that the present form .of trolley comprises a frame 30 having a pair of supporting wheels 31-31, riding upon the track A which is supported from the bracket 32. The frame 30 is provided at each end with upturned bumpers 33 rounded for a purpose to be below described in connection with Fig. 10, and upon one end of the frame is mounted a motor 34 whose shaft 35 carries a pinion 36 driving a gear 37, in turn mounted upon the axle 38 of one of the trolley wheels 31. For the purpose of affording a pivotal support for the carriers D of Fig. 10, we mount centrally in the lower part 35 of the frame 30, pivotally by bolt 36 loosely fixed therein, a hanging bar 37 for the supporting elements below to be described in connection with Figs. 4 to 9, a spring 38 riveted to the members 35 and 37 and encircling the bolt 36 being provided to restore them to parallelism should they be moved therefrom in the operation of the device. As an auxiliary means for holding the members 35 and 37 in such parallelism, we provide cooperating spring catch elements 39 and 40, the member 39 having an extension adapted to fit in a socket formed in member 40 and prevent relative movement of the members 35 and 37 save under conditions of stress greater than that resisted by the spring 38.

For energizing the motor 34, and exciting the actuating means for the engaging mechanisms of Figs. 2 to 9, hereinafter described, we make use of two conductors, Q and R respectively, having a common feed of the same polarity, such conductors being supported from the above mentioned bracket 32 but insulated therefrom as indicated at 41, and spaced somewhat apart, contact being made with the conductors Q and R respectively by the collector shoes 42 and 43, the motor 34 and the actuating device 62 having a common return 44 by means of the wiring 45 and 46 (Fig.

In that embodiment of our invention which is specially available for use in connection with an end cut brick machine (that is one which forms the brick from a bar of the two least dimensions of a completed brick) we make use of a construction of carrier and engaging mechanism illustrated in preferred form in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, wherein we utilize a skeleton framing comprising a longitudinal bar 50 having outstanding wings 51, 51 terminating in sockets 52, 53 wherein are mounted the rods 54,

55, carrying fixedly thereupon, the supporting arms 56, 57 respectively which are embraced by the plates 58, 59 respectively. Each of said plates comprises a strip of spring brass bent upon itself, and a similar and move them inwardly toward the central vertical member 60, thus engaging the brick, we make use of a solenoid 62 whose core is connected to the rod 63 u n which are revolubly mounted the links 64? and 65 whose other ends are fixed against rotation upon the rods 54 and 55. The central longitudinal member 50 is provided with suitable attaching posts 63 by means of which it may be suspended by flexible means (here indicated as a pair of chains 64) from the trolley C above described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. The rear end of the longitudinal skeleton member 50 is provided with an upstanding stop 65 bifurcated as indicated at 66 in order to provide a socket for the projecting end 67 of the following carrier, and the forward end with a downwardly extending stop plate 68 both as is useful for purposes to be below described, in connection with Fig. 10.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, wherein we have illustrated a preferred embodiment of that form of carrier and engaging mechanism which we find especially useful in connection with the transportation of bricks formed by a side cut brick machine, (that is one wherein the bar of clay as it issues from the machine presents the two greatest dimensions of a completed brick.) It will be observed that we make use of parallel skeleton frame members 70 and 71 supported by the yokes 7 2 and 73 which in turn serve as attaching means for the suspension devices 64 of the trolley. Between the frame member 70 and 71 we mount a plurality of engaging members 75 preferably formed of spring brass, each of the members 75 comprises a shank portion 76 and an enlarged contact portion 77, the sides of the shank portions being turned at substantially right angles as indicated at 78, 79 for a two-fold purpose, viz: to provide a bearing for the supporting trunnions 80 whose outer ends 81 and 82 rest respectively upon the members 70 and 71 and are restrained from lateral displacement by the pins 83 and 84, and to restrain the longitudinal movement of the members 75 relatively to each other, it being observable from inspection of Figs. 7 and 9 that the vertical movement of such members above the frame element 70 and 71 is restrained only by contact of the enlarged portions 77 with the lower faces 7 071'.

As is clearly to be seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the outermost of the members 75, that is, those indicated at 85 and 86 are so mounted as to be drawn inwardly toward each other,

when the core of the solenoid 62' rises and lifts the link 87, turning the hub 88 carried by the shaft 89 which is supported in the ortions 90 disposed between the portions 0-70 and 71-71' of the skeleton frame. elements, since upon the hub 88 we mount theconnecting links 92 and 93 carryin 'atthir outer ends rods 94 and 95 pm ing through slots 96 and 97 in the respective members 85 and 86, and respectively engaging corresponding rods 92 and 93' eecentrically mounted upon a hub 88' disposed on the shaft 89 opposite to the hub 88. For the purpose of forcing the outermost elements 85 and 86 apart and outwardly, when the coil of the solenoid 62 is not excited, we mount the several connecting rods 92, 92 93, 93" in outstanding cars, such as shown at 98 and 99 with reference to the rod 92, fixing upon each thereof collars 100 and between such collar and ear 99, a spring 101 in each case. This construction presents two advantages, first when the elements 85 and 86 are drawn toward each other the several springs 101 are compressed, tending to separate the members 85 and 86 immediately upon discontinuance of the excitation of the solenoid 62', and second the recoil of the spring is restrained by the contact of such collar 100 with the inner face of the ear 98. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 10 it will be observed that we have here shown a lurality of the trolleys C and carriers D 1n the positions they assume relatively to each other and the brick 102 as such brick are discharged upon the belt B upon emergence from the brick forming device 103, at the time the conveyer units ride into position to engage such brick. From an examination of this figure it will be observed that a portion of the track A, nearest the point of emergence of the brick from the device 103 upon the belt B, is elevated a distance equal substantially to the thickness of the brick, above that portion of the track indicated at 105 where the carriers D engage the brick, and that the rounded bumpers 33 are provided not only for the purpose of spacing the trolleys apart and preventing the swinging of the carriers D in alinement therewith, but also to insure that as each of the trolleys C approaches the one in front of it, they will not overlap when the respective ends come to the position indicated at 33 and 33" but that the projecting portion 67 of the clamp will ride into the notched portions 66 of the forward clamp and prevent the rear clam from any contact whatsoever with the brick engaged or about to become engaged with such forward carrier, as is very clearly to be seen on the comparison of the relative positions of the several carriers D, D and D. This construction also permits the use of the downwardly extending stop plate for retarding the brick as isdesirable in the operation of our device below to be described.

As is likewise to be seen on an inspection of the present figure in lieu of the flexible chains 64 and springs 106 for supporting the carriers D from the trolley C, we may use the rods 64 headed attheir upper ends as indicated at 64" and adapted to reeipro" cate in the springs 106 interposed in alinement therewith as part of the flexible con nections between the trolley C and carriers D, the springs in the case of the chains terminating in loops 107 and in case of the rods in apertured plates 6 F to allow the reciprocation of the rods 64 and thereby attain flexibility.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 11 wherein we have indicated the means for accomplishing the loading of the carriers, such as are shown in Figs. 7 to 9, it will be observed that the belt B is here shown as carrying brick disposed transversely of the belt as from a side cut machine, instead of longitudinally of the belt as in Fig. 11, and it is to be noted that the apparatus here used is similar in all substantial respects to that of Fig. 12, save in this that the several additional elements here following are required, viz: a belt 13 disposed at an angle to the belt 13 a bridge plate B to allow the transfer of the brick from one belt to the other, and a guide plate 13 disposed above the belts B and B but in the plane of the belt B to the end that as the first of the bricks 102 strikes the outermost plate 85 of the series of plates 75, held in their most elevated position by the plate B, it will feed the device forward by the assistance of gravity and as each of the enlarged portions 77 become entirely disengaged from said plate B the following of such plates descends in front of the next following brick. It is obvious from an inspection of Figs. 10 and 11 that to attain a most eflicient operation of apparatus embodying our improvements, it is desirable that the brick be somewhat spaced apart prior to the instant of their final engagement with the carriers D.

The operation of a brick transporting ap paratus embodying our present invention is as follows:

7 Assuming a plurality of carriers coming vertically; over the belt B as is clearly to be understood form Fig. 10. Im mediately the collector 42 passes out of contact with that part of the conductor Q indicated at 150, the trolley C descends the inclined portion 151 of the Track A, allowing the elements 58, 59 and 60 to come into position to en age the brick 102 as may be seen at D, D and D Conveyer B will move at a greater speed than the trolley C until the motor of the trolley C is energized, and the carrier D will thereby and by the impact of the carrier D be moved to the position shown and its prior positions successively occupied by D and D As soon as the collector 42 strikes the guideway indicated at 155, the trolley C will be energized and the carrier D will assume the relation parallel to the belt like that shown for the carrier D As the motion of the conveyer B in the direction indicated by the arrow is continuous, and the plate 68 of the carrier D has dropped in front of the brick 102, consequent upon the removal of the carrier D the bricks 102 102", and 102 will close together similarly to those indicated at 102, 102 102. Immediately the collector shoe 43 strikes the guideway-156 of the conductor R the solenoid 62 will become excited, the pivoted sides 58 and 59 drawn inwardly toward the stationary center 60 and the bricks finally clamped in the carrier and any inequalities in their surfaces pressed out. The brick clamped in the carrier still contacting with the conveyer B, the carrier continues to progress in the direction indicated by the arrow until the contact 42 strikes that part of the conductor Q indicated at 155 when the motor is energized and begins its travel along the track A.

At a point short of the place where the bricks are to be deposited the conductor Q terminates, so that after reaching that point the energization of the motor ceases and the trolley comes to a stop, but the solenoid 62 continues to be excited. The operator then grasps the carrier C with his hand, pulls it down by extending the springs 106, and opens the clamp and discharges the brick by pressing upon the switch} button 170 which opens the circuit through the coil of the solenoid 62, the weight of the core of such solenoid descending will move the clamp members 58 and 59 .outwardly to their positions indicated in dotted lines in Fi 7.

The carrier C being relieved of the weight of the brick will immediately rise from the brick by means of thesprings 106 previously held under tension, and the carrier may be then given a manual impulse along the track until the contact 42 strikes the other end of the conductor Q, when the motor 34 will be energized and the carrier will proceed on its way along the track A back to the conveyer B.

While we have shown an improved con-f veyer system as arranged for use in a brick making establishment, it has obviously many other uses by extension and adaptation, and these are included within the scope of our invention and intended to be covered by our claims.

Having thus described our invention and illustrated its use, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following v 1. A conveyer comprisin in combination, a car, a grappel pivote to the car for horizontal rotation, normally resting in a predetermined position and mounted to be turned at an angle thereto, means for yieldingly holding said grappel in said predetermined position, and automatic means for returning the grappel to its original relation to the car when it is turned therefrom.

2. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grappel pivoted to the car for horizontal rotation, normally resting in a predetermined position and mounted to be turned at an angle thereto, and a spring interposed between the car and grapple for returnin the grapple to its original relation to the car when it is turned therefrom.

3. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grapple pivoted to the car for horizontal rotation, normally resting in a predetermined relation thereto and mounted to be turned at an angle thereto, and elastic means for returning the grappel to its original position relatively to the car when it is turned therefrom.

4. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grapple, a support for said grapple pivoted to the car whereby said support can rotate in a horizontal plane relatively to said car, means for positively preventing rotation of the support until said support is moved away from said car, spring means for normally preventing said support moving away from said car and thereby holding said support in a predetermined relation to said car, and flexible connections between the gra ple and the support, whereby the grapp e may be moved relatively to the support.

5. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grapple pivoted to the car for horizontal rotation, normally resting in a predetermined relation thereto and mounted to be turned at an angle thereto, means for returning the grapple to its original position relatively to the car when it is turned therefrom, and yieldingly resistant means for holding it in such position.

6. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grapple elastically and pivotally supported by the car for horizontal rotatlon, normally resting in a predetermined position and mounted to be turned at an angle thereto, and means for operating the gra ple, and elastic means for returning sai grapple to its original relation to the car w en it is turned therefrom.

7. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a apple, a support for said grapple pivote to the car whereby said support can rotate in a horizontal plane relatively to said car, means for positively preventing rotation of the support until said support is moved away from said car, elastic means for normally preventing said support moving away from said car and thereby holding said support in a predetermined relation to said car, and flexible connections between the grapple and the support, whereby the grapple may be moved relatively to the support.

8. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grapple, a support for said grapple pivoted to the car whereby said support can rotate in a horizonal plane relatively to said car, means for positively preventing rotation of the support until said support is moved away from said car, elastic means for normally preventing said support moving away from said car and thereby holding said support in a predetermined relation to said car, and flexible and elastic connections between the grapple and the support, whereby the grapple may be moved relatively to the support.

9. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grapple, a support for said grapple pivoted to the car whereby said support can rotate in a horizontal plane relatively to said car, means for positively preventing rotation of the support until said support is moved away from said car, elastic means for normally preventing said support moving away from said car and thereby holding said support in a predetermined relation to said car, and elastic connections between the grapple and the support, whereby the grapple may be moved relatively to the support.

10. An engaging device for transporting material comprising a frame, a spring clamp plate carried by the lower portion of the frame, a second clamp plate movable toward said first clamp plate in a horizontal direction only, and electric means for moving said clamp plates toward each other for engaging the material.

ll. An engaging device for transporting material comprising a frame, spring clamp plates movable toward each other in a horizontal direction only, carried by the lower portion of the frame, and electric means for drawing the clamp members together to elastically engage the material.

12. An engaging device for transporting material comprising a frame, clamp members movable toward each other in a horizontal direction only carried by the lower portion of the frame, and electric means for causing the clamp members to approach to engage the material.

13. An engaging device for transporting material comprising a frame, a spring clamp plate carried by the lower portion of the frame. a second clamp plate movable toward said first clamp plate in a horizontal direction only, and means for moving said clamp plates toward each other for engaging the material.

14. An engaging device for transporting material comprising a frame, spring clam plates movable toward each other in a horlzontal direction only, carried by the lower portion of the frame, and means for drawing the clamp members together to elastically engage the material.

15. An engaging device for transporting material comprising a frame clamp members movable toward each other in a horizontal direction only, carried by the lower portion of the frame, and means for causing the clamp members to approach to en gage the material.

16. An engaging device fon transporting materials comprising a frame, spring clamping plates carried by the frame, horizontal means engaging said clamping plates, and electromagnetic means operatin said horizontal means for drawing sai clamping plates together to engage the material.

17. An. engaging device for transporting materials comprising a frame, clamp members carried by the frame, an intermediate clamp member therebetween, links engaging the outer clamp members, and electromag-' netic means operating said links for draw ing said clamp members toward said intermediate member to engage the material.

18. In combination, a car provided with a longitudinally disposed grapple, having at one end a projection 67, and at the other end a cooperating rest adapted to sustain the corresponding projecting end of an adj acent grappel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

19. In combination, a car provided with a longitudinally disposed grapple, having at one end a projection 67, and at the other end' a cooperating bifurcated rest 66, adapted to receive the corresponding projecting end of an adjacent rapple and restrain such grapple from downward or lateral movement.

20. In an apparatus of the kind described, a brick hacking carrier having a traction portion, a motor carried thereby for driving the carrier, current receiving means for said motor, brick clamping means for clamping and transporting the bricks to be hacked, and automatic means for operating Said clamping means.

21. A conveyer comprising, in combination, a car, a grapple pivoted to the car for horizontal rotation, normally resting in a predetermined position and mounted to be turned at an angle thereto, and automatic means for returning the grapple to its origi--' nal relation to the car when it is turned therefrom.

In witness whereof we have hereunder signed our names in the presence of the two subscribed witnesses.

BERNARD F. WEBER. FRANK E. WOODFORD. Witnesses:

PAUL CARPENTER, GEORGE A. BLAOKMAN. 

